computer help?!?!?

[user 1190]

Also is a 160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive and 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz- 2DIMMs good?!?!?!?


Sorry if its a dumb question, but I dont really know crap about computers.


Thanks.

160 GB should be plenty of storage unless you plan to download a lot of stuff (movies/ music/) or store tons of photos.

The more Ram the better, 2 GB is plenty for what you plan to use it for and will be good if you upgrade to Microsoft Vista in the future. I don't really think you need 4 GB and you could upgrade it in the future for a lot less the Dell charges in the future if you needed more for some reason.

 

[JustinLuck]

AMD used to reign supreme, but now it is Intel's turn. Their Core 2 processor performs more work per clock cycle than AMD's current X2. I have owned AMD processors for the last five years. But if I had to buy a new computer today, it would have an Intel processor. Check out anandtech.com to help you decide.

 

[darthviper107]

If you could I would recommend buying the parts and building the computer yourself, it'll save you hundreds of dollars and you can probably get a better processor. The only advantage of getting a Dell computer or any other type of package is that you get a warranty on the whole thing, and tech support and whatever. My Dad has a Dell and he found out when he wanted to upgrade the RAM that the RAM was a specific kind and expensive. But if you build one yourself you can get parts like that cheaper without losing quality (I haven't heard of any bad RAM although it's common knowledge Corsair is the best RAM).

Remember to get as much RAM as you can afford. If you've got a good computer with low RAM, you won't be going that fast, RAM can make a huge difference. Also, you probably should just stick with regular Windows XP Pro, 64-Bit windows is only an advantage if you've got a program that eats RAM.

And also, AMD isn't bad, I'm using it and it works really well.

 

[Jesseawilson]

I always build my own computers, mass produced computers are crap with crap parts inside. I like to choose the manufacturer and the exact specs I want of every single item in my computer. I use AMD if you were curious.


So says the Jew.


Jesse

 

[user 1190]

I personally build my own computers, but King has already said he doesn't have a lot of computer knowledge. I don't agree that a custom is best for everyone. If you are building it for a specific purpose, ie games, video editing, photo editing, etc.. then its better, but if you just need an all around computer, you are are better of buying a prebuilt. If you price it out get basic parts and everything you really don't save much money and if you don't know how to build one its well worth a few bucks to know its gonna be built right.

 

[darthviper107]

Well, there's also the advantage of warranty on parts. With prebuilt machines they've got a warranty on the whole thing and a lot of times if you change something (upgrade a part) or just open up something then the warranty if void. But that's not the case with custom-built parts, they each have their own warranty and the only way to void that is if you actually take the parts apart. But really it's easy to make your own computer, it's pretty self-explanitory, just as long as you get all of the parts that you need, for instance with my last build all I had to do was put the parts into the computer, turn it on and it worked fine without any settings changed or anything, just plug-and-play. But I guess for some things there isn't much of an advantage, but I have to say with all of my buys I've saved hundreds (although I could have saved like $300 if I waited a month when I bought my processor in July darn it )

 

[twistedfreak]

Hey King. I am talking to this guy right now and he says to go for the Intel E6600. It's the best bang for the buck. AMD has a integrated memory controller, where the Intel has the old FSB. He says that you should just go for the Intel. It is better then the AMD according to him. He also says that Intel is winning on all benchmarks. Hope this helps ya out.

 

[Beruthiel]

just tell your wife to stay out of the porn sites. They can be really nasty you know. besides, we all know that faster isn't necessarily better, right?

 

[King Darkness]

Thanks for all the help guys. Yeah I would like to build my computer, but havent the knowlegde or time to do so. Plus we dont do much outside the norm, so I think a pre-built computer is our best bet. From what you guys are saying I think I will most likely be going with Intel. I'll look into the Intel E6600 twisted and see how the price is.

Again thanks everyone!

just tell your wife to stay out of the porn sites. They can be really nasty you know. besides, we all know that faster isn't necessarily better, right?

My wife isnt the internet porn watcher in the family............